Nobel Prize Winner, Tawakkul Karman

Front Line warmly welcomes the awarding of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to Tawakkul Karman, a courageous woman human rights defender from Yemen, honoured for her outstanding work promoting peace, democracy, and human rights.

Further Information

Tawakkul is head of the human rights organisation Women Journalists without Chains, which works to protect freedom of the press and defend the rights of freedom of opinion and freedom of expression. In 2007 and 2009, Front Line provided the organisation with security grants which were used to relocate the office headquarters, purchase laptops, and install CCTV cameras and an alarm system. Front Line also took action on Tawakkul's behalf when she received death threats, was imprisoned, and was physically assaulted during a peaceful protest. In 2007, Tawakkul attended and spoke at the Fourth Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders.

As Front Line Director Mary Lawlor pointed out, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Tawakkul Karman, along with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Bbowee of Liberia -

'will send a clear signal around the world that full equality for women can no longer be considered a discretionary privilege, but is rather a non-negotiable fundamental human right. Tawakkul Karman has faced intimidation, the risk of arrest and physical attack with courage and conviction. Her dedication reminds us why the work of Front Line is so important.'